Akalpa kalpadruma malpakalpana Vikalpa jalpa pratikalpa koutukam! Analpa kalpak lama samplavaplavam Mahaprabhoonam charanambujam
vrune!!
Born for a Cause !
Lord Srikrishna in his Bhagavad Gita says: “Dharma Samsthapanaarthaya Sambhavami Yuge Yuge” (“I will reincarnate Myself time and again in every yuga to establish dharma”). God manifested Himself on this earth whenever adharma, false logic, scepticism and foolishness were rampant among people. He will certainly do so in future also. He purifies the hearts of the people through His teachings, messages, actions, and leads them to the righteous path. The divine excellence (vibhuthi) of the Lord manifests itself in every yuga. Such are the great men like Vyasa, Gautama Buddha, Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya who are born for a cause. To this line belongs Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya. The Vaishnavas of Shuddha Advaita Pushti Marga call Srimad Vallabhacharya alone with the appellation, “Mahaprabhu” (Great Lord).
The vallabh Sampradaya or Pustimargiya Vaishnavism followers are specially found in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Shrinathji temple in Nathdwara in Rajasthan is the epicentre of Pustimargiya Vaishnavism.
History of his Birth or Prakatya
Jagadguru Shree Vallabhachrayaji also known as Shree Mahaprabhuji was born at Champaranya in 1478 A.D. i.e. Vikaram Samvat 1535 on the 11th day of the dark half of lunar month of chaitra. He was born at a time when Hindu religion and culture were in danger of being destroyed by the fanatic invaders. The birth of Shree Vallabhacharyaji heralded a new era in the history of Hindu religion. He saved Hindu religion from the savage attacks of Muslim rulers. He breathed new life into the people of India who had lost all hope of redemption under the rule of sword and terror.
Kambhampati of Kakaravada :
Shri Vallabh’s ancestors swelled to the southern side of Krishna river lies a village called Kankarvad who were Brahmins of Telang Kul. His ancestors were Somayaji’s ( those who perform soma Yagna). Shri Yagnanarayan Bhatt, Laxman Bhatt’s ( Vallabhcharya’s father) great great grandfather began the family practice of performing soma sacrifice.
He is a Velanati Brahmin of Kambhampati family. He belongs to Bharadvaja Gotra, Apastambha Sutra, and Krishna Yajusshakha sect. He hails from Kakaravada village near Vyomastambha (the present Mangalagiri) on the south coast of Krishna river. Scholars interpret the meaning of the word “kakara” thus:
Kam sukham kathyathe vignyairakaraha khaniruchyathe!
Sukhana maakaratvat saa ‘kakare’
tyabhidheeyathe!!
‘Ka’ means pleasure. ‘Akara’ means refuge. So, ‘kakara’ means the refuge of pleasure. The ancestors of Vallabhacharya used to reside in such a Kakara street. As the village was dilapidated over the years, the Kambhampati family migrated to the nearby Agraharam village.
“I will manifest in your family” :
Yajna Narayana Deekshita was the patriarch of Vallabhacharya family. He could boast of a wealth of best practices of tradition. He had the perpetual sacred fire lit at his home. A Vaishnava preceptor of Vishnuswami tradition initiated him into the Gopala mantra. The shriti of “Yajno Vai Vishnuh” regards Sri Maha Vishnu as the embodiment of Yajna. Hence, Yajna Narayana Deekshita resorted to perform a hundred soma yagas to propitiate Him. Soon after the first yaga Lord Sri Krishna appeared to him and gave him the boon that He will manifest Himself in their lineage when their family completes a hundred Soma yagas. Deekshita completed thirty-one Soma yagas, while his son Gangadhara performed twenty-seven. A great scholar, Gangadhara wrote Meemamsa Rahasya. His son Ganapathi Bhattu performed thirty-two yagas. He wrote Tantra Nigraha. His son Vallabha Bhattu performed five yagas. Of his two sons, Lakshmana Bhattu and Janardana Bhattu, the former conducted five Soma yagas. When he was in the process of starting the fifth somayagna, a divine voice announced that by the divine grace of god, since this kul was completing 100 somayagnas , Lord ShriKrishna will be incarnating as his son.
Thus the Kambhampati family completed a century of yagas. After the completion of the last yaga, Lakshmana Bhattu went on a pilgrimage to Kasi, offered food to one lakh twenty-five thousand people, and fulfilled the desire of Yagnya Narayana Deekshita.
“Take me from the Sami tree” :
Lakshmana Bhattu married the daughters of Susharma, the Vaishnava preceptor of Vijayanagara royal dynasty. He felt inclined to renounce as soon as his first wife gave birth to two daughters and a son. Then a great person came to him and exhorted him not to resort to renunciation as Lord Sri Krishna was going to manifest Himself in his family. Meanwhile, fearing the rumours that Muslims were going to demolish Kasi, all the southerners settled in Kasi fled to their respective places from Kasi. And so did Lakshmana Bhattu with his family to the Andhra region. They reached the Champa forest near Rayapur village of the present Madhya Pradesh. There Illamagaru had an abortion in the eighth month itself due to the fatigue of travel and anxiety. In the pitch darkness of that night, they mistook the child for dead, and left it in the cavity of a Sami tree wrapping it in a piece of her saree. While taking rest in the nearby Choda village, both Lakshmana Bhattu and Yellamma had a similar dream in the early hours of the day. Lord Sri Krishna appeared and ordered them, “I kept my word and manifested Myself in your family. Go and fetch me from that Sami tree.” With pleasant surprise, they rushed to the tree to witness amidst a circle of fire an extraordinarily handsome child on the same piece of cloth. As milk gushed forth from her breasts with maternal affection, Yellamma took the wonder child into her lap thinking that the fire will not harm her if the child born of her were to be really Sri Krishna. Fire God left her untouched. There rained flowers from the sky and trumpets blew. The weather turned serene all over. Thus Vaishwanara latent in the mouth of Sri Krishna was born as Vallabhacharya to the family of Lakshmana Bhattu around 8.30 pm on Sunday, the eleventh day of Vaishakha’s waning Moon in 1535 of Vikrama Saka (Vallabhacharya was also known as Vaishwanara). Lakshmana Bhattu named him after his own father. Endearing himself to his parents and neighbours, he
became the real “Vallabha”. He is often seen as incarnation of Agni.
They called the infant Vallabh, which means “ beloved”. He was indeed dear to them. This incidence took place in 1478 A.D. ( VS 1535).
Divine occurance that caused Shri Vallabh’s appearance
Once shri Krishna desired to dance with Shri Swamini and when she showed no interest, ShriKrishna the master of all things made another Devine creation and danced there. When Shri Swamini saw him dancing without her she went to her beloved and pulled on his necklace. All of the gems from the necklace scattered on the earth. At that moment the Divine couple realised that the fallen jewels were actually divine souls connected to them. They immediately felt intense separation from those divine souls and two columns of fire emanated from their hearts and where they converged, a third form manifested as the Beloved Vallabh. He was a combination of Shri Krishna and Shri Swamini as well as their Wittness. The intensity that issued from them and created him turned Beloved Vallabh into the Devine fire god for he was filled with their intensity.
Beloved Vallabh then appeared on the earth to collect the dispersed divine souls and reminded them “ Remember dear souls, you have been separated from Beloved Krishna for thousands of births. You have forgotten the nectar of his Union. Do you remember the sweet pangs of His separation”. The search for these divine souls inspired Shri Vallabh to undertake three pilgrimages around the four corners of
Child prodigy Vallabha :
As peace restored in Kasi, Lakshmana Bhattu went back to Kasi and started living in Hanuman Ghat. Vallabha’s childhood was spent in the scholarly milieu of Kasi. Vallabha underwent the sacred-thread ceremony (Upanayanam) at the age of five. At that tender age, Vallabha used to accompany his father or go on his own to the meetings of scholars and challenge well-known scholars with his extraordinary scholarship. His book Patravalambanam written at that time got the approval of great scholars. He studied the Vedas, Vedangas, Sastras and Puranas thoroughly under the guidance of his preceptor Madhavendrapuri. He came to the firm conclusion that Vedas, Vyasa Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and Srimad Bhagavatam are the only standard texts. Stunned by his scholarship, the scholars wondered whether Goddess Saraswati Herself has come in the guise of Vallabhacharya.
Lakshmana Bhattu’s union with Sri Venkateswara :
At the age of 11, Vallabha was back home at Agraharam with his parents. He was given a rousing reception by the villagers. His paternal uncle Janardana Bhattu presented a saligram and Bhagavata Mahapuranam to him. From that day onwards, he made it a point to deliver week-long discourses on the Bhagavata (Saptaham) wherever he went. At the instance of his mother, he accompanied his parents to Venkatadri. Gazing at the Lord of the Seven Hills, his father Lakshmana Bhattu became one with the Lord attaining his fruition of life. The place where Vallabhacharya sat in the Varahaswami temple has become a place of interest for the pilgrims today.
Anointment with Gold coins :
Vallabha stayed in Tirumala for some time and delivered week-long discourses on the Bhagavata. Later, he went to Vijayanagara on the shores of the Tungabhadra river and stayed in his maternal uncle’s home. Those were the days when the great emperor, literary figure and warrior Sri Krishnadevaraya was ruling the Vijayanagara kingdom. He was fond of organising religious and spiritual meetings. Scholars and preceptors from different places used to participate in these meetings to vindicate their own doctrines and refute the others. Sri Krishnadevaraya invited Vallabha to these meetings with great regard. With his extraordinary merit and rhetorical skills, Vallabha refuted all the other traditions and established his Shuddha Advaita Pushti Marga as the ultimate in the arguments which ran for 28 days. Everyone was overawed by the argumentative skills, merit and scholarship of the child. Sri Krishnadevaraya anointed him with gold coins and awarded him the titles, “Acharya Choodamani” and “Sri Veda Vyasa Vishnuswami sampradaya samuddhara sambhoota Sri Purushothama vadanavatara sarvamnaya sanchara Vaishnavaamnaya prachurya prakara Sri Bilva mangalaarpita Samrajyaasanaakhanda Bhoomandalacharyavarya Jagadguru Mahaprabhu Srimadacharyah”. Sri Vallabhacharya gave away all the wealth to the people there. Rejecting the royal palanquin, he preferred to walk back home. He conducted all his tours only on foot. Sri Krishnadevaraya along with his companions received initiation from Vallabhacharya into Pushti Marga Vaishnava tradition. Sri Vishnuswami Mathacharya and Sri Bilvamangalacharya also followed suit.
Seven coins are enough :
When Sri Krishnadevaraya offered 7000 gold coins to Sri Vallabhacharya as guru dakshina (tuition fees), Vallabha accepted only seven coins and distributed the remaining to the people there. It is said that he offered a gold waist-band with those seven coins to Lord Govardhana of Srinath Dwara. Some say that he purchased a cow belonging to the cowherd of Nanda of Dwapara yuga with this money. We can see the offspring of that particular clan of cows even today.
Acharya
Shri Mahaprabhuji accepted the ‘ Acharya’ designation of Vishnu swami sampradaya ( Rudra Sampradaya) upon request of Bilvamangala Acharya. This was after Shri Vallabhacharya ji won the famous debate of Brahmavada over shakaras in the courtyard of the Emperor Krihnadevaraya of Vijayanagara. Apart from being the Acharya of Vishnu Sampradaya, Vallabhcharya also propagated the Pustimarga as per Bhagwan ShriKrishna’s order and thus became the Acharya of not only Vishnswami Sampradaya but also Pustimarg Sampradaya.
Propaganda tours :
Vallabhacharya commenced his all India tour from Vijayanagaram to propagate devotion to Lord Sri Krishna and Pushti Marga. During the tour he rested for sometime on the bank of the Pampa river which was sanctified by Lord Sri Rama. As usual, he gave week-long discourses on the Bhagavata. He initiated a kshatriya by name Krishnadasu into his fold. From there he visited Kanchi, Chidambaram, Rameshwaram, Totadri, Padmanabham through Rishyamukam, Kishkindha and other holy places. In Padmanabham he exorcised the queen of the evil spirits.
Award of the title “Vakpati” :
During the course of the tour, a scholar by name Ravinatha Vaidiki approached Vallabhacharya to challenge his Vedic wisdom. He started reciting Vedic mantras alternately to show off his command. In turn, Vallabha started reciting them in reverse order from the last to the first and dispelled all his doubts. Humbled by his scholarship, Ravinatha honoured him with the title, “Vakpati”. With great awe for the oratory of Vallabhacharya, Pushpadantacharya and other preceptors of Pratibimbavada also became his disciples.
Moving towards North from there, Vallabhacharya then visited Gokarnam and Udipi, circumambulated Narmada river, travelled to Siddhapuram, Kundinapuram, Pateshwaram, and reached Pushkaram of Rajasthan. Later, he visited pilgrim centres of Gangotri, Badarinath and Kedaranath of the northern region and reached Kashi after nine years.
First Prithvi Parikrama
When Vallabhacharya was 11 years old he lost his father, and he had to take care of his mother. He spent more than fifteen years of his life in pilgrimages, travelling throughout the Indian subcontinent. He became one of the important leaders of the devotional Bhakti movement.
Shri Mahaprabhuji, after taking his mother’s permission, set out for parikrama of Bharat at the age of 11 years. He walked bare foot only wearing dhoti and Uparna. He travelled with his sevya Shri Thakurji and always would make halts outside of the village near a lake and under a tree would cook himself and first offer to Shri Thakurji and then eat. At holy places he would recite Shri Bhavatji and also accept divine beings under his refuge. Shri Vallabh always had with him 1. Kamandal 2. Paavdi 3. Dand 4. Darbhasan 5. shrimad Bhagvad. He used to do Bhagvad Parayan whenever he decided to stay at a place for more than a day. There are 84 such posting places throughout India where Shri Mahaprabhuji has done Bhagvad Parayan- such places today are called “ Shri Vallabh’s Baithakji”.
Visit to Jagannth Puri during his first Parikrama
In VS 1546-47 during his first Bharat Parikrama Shri Mahaprabhuji visited Jagannth Puri. The king had organised a religious debate and placed four questions to be answered by the pundits and Acharyas. The questions were:
1. which scriptures is the best of all scriptures?
2. Which deity is the best of all deities?
3. Which Mantra is the best of all Mantras?
4. Which duty is the best of all duties?
No pundit/ Acharya was able to answer this. Shri Vallabh gave satisfactory answer to all the questions but the pundits insisted that they would believe only if Lord Jagannath Himself gives the answer in writing. Shri Vallabhacharya ji placed all four questions before Lord Jagannth ji along with a blank paper, ink pot and a Pen. The doors of the temple were closed. When the doors were opened, the piece of paper with a verse answering all the four questions written on it were found. The verse was: Meaning
Gita sung by Shri Krishna, son of Devaki, is the best scripture.
Shri Krishna, son of Devaki, is the best deity.
Names of ShriKrishna are the best Mantra.
Service of ShriKrishna is the best duty.
Everyone acknowledged Shri Vallabh’s answer and accepted His Victory.
Victory at Odcha – First kanakabhishek
In VS 1547-48 Shri Vallabh after visiting kadhi, Ujjain, arrived at Odcha ( Orcha) village. A pundit named Ghat Saraswati was feared by many as he had captured Goddesses Saraswati in a pot and whomsoever came to debate with him used to loose. The king welcomed Shri Vallabh to debate. Ghat Saraswati upon debating could not answer Shri Vallabh, hence, he asked Goddess Saraswati in pot to answer, but she remained silent stating that Shri Vallabh is ‘ Vachaspati’ , my master, how can I speak in front of him? The pundit accepted his defeat and the king performed kanakabhishek ( bathing with gold) of Shri Vallabh as mark of his victory.
First Vraj Yatra
Shri Vallabh set out for Vraj in VS 1548 on Bhadrapada Shukla paksha 2, he took Niyam at Vishram Ghat. He appointed Ujagar as his thirtha purihit. At each and every Leela sthal of Shri Thakurji, He recited Shrimad Bhagvadji. In VS 1548, Phalguna Shukla paksha 2, he completed his first Vraj Parikrama in 6 months. After completing first Vraj Parikrama, he visited Vrindavan. There he did 30 Bhagvad Parayan.
The Boon of Balarama and Krishna :
After constructing the temple for Srinatha and Lord Sri Krishna, Vallabhacharya circumambulated the Govardhanagiri a distance of about 14 miles (seven kos) and Brindavanm (Vrajamandala) the distance of about 168 miles (84 kos). Contented by his commitment, Balarama and Sri Krishna, it appears, offered him the boon that they will manifest in his family as sons. Later it has become customary for all the Vaishnavas to circumambulate Govardhanagiri and Vrajamadala. In due course, Vallabha got two children by name Gopinatha and Vithalanatha. Followers of Vallabha tradition regard these two children as the incarnations of Balarama and Sri Krishna.
Shri Yamunashtak
At the age of 14, when Shri Vallabh first set out his holy feet at Shrimad Gokul he was wondering aloud as to which is Thakurani Ghat and which is Govind Ghat? At precisely that time a sixteen year old beautiful divine girl, Shri Yamunaji, dressed in mukut kaachni appeared before Shri Vallabh and in a sweet voice told him that to his right is the Thakurani Ghat and to his left is the Govind Ghat. Shri Vallabh recognized her immediately and bringing together his both hands together bowed is head and sang Yamunashtsk, as praise to Shri Yamunaji, ‘ Namaami Yamuna Maham…Shri Vallabh then recited Shrimad Bhawadji for 7 days by order of Shri Yamunaji.
Shri Thakurji’s Order – Gadya ( Brahmasambandh) Mantra – Birth of Pustimarg
After completing Shrimad Bhagvadji, on shravan Shukla paksha 11, at midnight when Shri Vallabh was deeply engrossed in his thoughts as to how to unite the sinful jeev to his ever pious clean Lord, he saw a bright light first appear before him and then he had the Darshan of the Shri Gokulchadramaji, he ordered Shri Vallabh how to go about his work of uniting the jeev and the Lord. He gave him the Gadhya Mantra Brahmasambandha Mantra“Shri kishnah sharanam mama”and asked him to establish the Pusti Bhakti marg which would be different from any other marg existing in that time.
Shri Vallabh’s happiness knew no bounds. He praised Shri Gokulchandramaji by reciting Madhurastskam and then adorned home with ‘ Pavitra made of Sutar ( cotton yarn) and offered him mishri.
Siddhant Rahasya and First Sevak Shri Damodardas Harsaniji
Next morning Shri Vallabh told the entire episode that transpired between himself and the Lord to Shri Damodardas Harsaniji in the form of “ Siddhant Rahasya” and upon Shri Damodardas Harsaniji’s insistence, gave him the first Brahmasambandh Deeksha in Pustimarg. Shri Damodardasji then adorned Shri Vallabh with sutar Pavitra. This day is known as Sutar Baras in Pustimarg.
This mantra, is passed onto to new initiates in Vallabh sampradaya to this day, and if recited regularly will get rid of all the impurities of the soul.Vallabhacharya wanted to preach his message of “devotion to God” and this path of grace he called it as Pushtimarg. He initiated thousands of whom 84 are most famous and their life has been documented in Pushtimarg literature as the: “Story of 84 Vaishnavas.” Vallabhacharya is a monotheist in a strict sense of the term. He believes only in Krishna as God.
Meaning of Mahamantra :
While taking initiation into this mantra, one should keep the sacred basil-leaf (tulasi) in his hand and chant the mantra. The meaning of this mahamantra is: “Oh Lord! Severed from you we have been languishing in the cycle of birth and death for several yugas. We have had enough of travails of this vicious cycle and are subject to tapatraya—the triple cares caused by (i) ourselves, (ii) others and (iii) the will of God– in every birth. Our passion for the worldly pleasures has overshadowed the yearning for union with you and the consequent experience of ananda. I am such a fool and sinner. Thou art enriched with the six-fold wealth of gunas and endowed with the dharma of the other world. Thou art the manifestation of viyoga and samyoga rasas, Lord of the Gopikas. I surrender to you, oh Lord, all of my passions, ego, body, sense organs, soul and conscience, their characteristics, sins and virtues, and my Self itself. I am Thy servant. Hey Lord! Hey Sri Krishna! I belong to you. I abdicate everything and fall at thy feet. Please accept me.”
This brahma-mantra being self-initiation (Atma Deeksha) is greater than all the bodily commitments. Jivas who are committed to this will attract no blemishes. This mantra should be preceded and followed by chanting of eight-lettered astakshara mantra, “Sri- Kri-shnah- Sha-ra-nam- ma-ma”. The meaning of each letter of this mantra is as follows:
Sri: Endowed with the Goddess of fortunes (Sowbhagya Lakshmi), it imparts royal reverence
Kri: burns all sins
Shnaha: dispels three-fold grief
Sha: obviates the grief of the cycle of birth and death
Ra: imparts philosophical knowledge of the Brahman
Nam: inculcates strong devotion to Sri Krishna
Ma: Unites you with the Lord (Sayujyam) and breaks the cycle of births
Pratham Milan
Immediately 2 years after completion of his first Bharat Parikrama, Shri Mahaprabhuji started his second Bharath parikrama. During second parikrama in Jharkand, Lord Shrinathji ordered Shri Mahaprabhuji and informed Him about his appearance in Vraj. Shri Vallabh immediately cut short his 2nd Bharath parikrama and arrived at Vraj. Sadhu Pandey at Aanyor village and other Vrajvasis explained Shrinathji’s appearance on Shri Giriraiji . Next day Shri Vallabh met Shrinathji atop Shri Giriraiji ( in Pustimarg they call pratham Milan) and Shri Vallabh placed Shrinathji inside a makeshift temple and initiated the Seva Prakaar.
Yantra for Yantra :
A miracle happened in Madhura. It appears the Military General of Sikander Lodi got a strange Yantra constructed on the way to Madhura which used to transform the tufts of hair (sikhas) of the Hindus traversing that way into beards. When some Hindus complained about this, Vallabhacharya in turn arranged for another Yantra on the way to Delhi to reverse the trend. This Yantra, it appears, transformed the beards of the Muslims travelling that way into tufts of hair. Aghast Sikandar Lodhi rebuked Rustum Ali and ordered for its removal. In turn, Vallabhacharya also withdrew his Yantra.
Lord Vittala’s Order – Marriage and Third Bharath parikrama of Mahaprabhuji
Thus Vallabha toured throughout the country propagating his Shuddha Advaita theory and Pushti Marga Bhakti. He was accompanied by three of his close disciples-Damodara Dasu, Krishna Dasu, Vasudeva Dasu. During the second tour when he was on the banks of Chandra Bhaga river, Vithala Deva ordered him to take to marital life (Grihasthasrama). Reaching Kasi after the tour, Vallabha married Srimati Mahalaxmi, daughter of Deva Bhattu at the age of 32 on VS 1560.
Mahalaxmi ji is known as ‘ Akkaji’ in Pustimarg. He settled in Varanasi and had two sons: Shri Gopinath born in VS 1568 and Shri Vithalnath (or Gusainji) in VS 1572. With this experience at hand, Vallabhacharya rejected asceticism and monastic way life, and suggested that through loving devotion to God Krishna, any householder could achieve salvation.
After the marriage, Vallabha set on the third pilgrimage along with his wife. They used to walk not less than 12 miles a day halting here and there giving discourses on Bhagavata, offering initiation to the devotees into Brahma-mantra and ashtaakshara mantra and participating in the philosophical discussions and service to the Almighty.
Prabhuji ki Baithak :
After the third tour, Vallabha spent about 22 years in villages like Adel (Alakapuram), Charanat and Brindavanam. Most of this time, he lived in Adel situated on the south bank of the Yamuna river near Triveni Sangamam (confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra). We can find there the Pushti Marga tradition even now.
During his tours, Vallabha conducted the Bhagavata Discourse weeks in 84 places, thus staying for more than a week at every place. These places are called “Prabhuji ki Baithak”, those visited by Prabhu. We have mathas (monasteries) of Vallabha tradition known as “Prabhuji ki Baithak” in Mangalagiri and Tirupathi of our Telugu region.
Vallabha used to write in solitude. He wrote eighty- four books to explore the hidden meanings of the sastras and puranas, the easy accessibility (soulabhyam) and sweetness of devotion to Sri Krishna. Eighty-four of his disciples have been renowned Vaishnava devotees.
Vallabhacharya performed three pilgrimages, strictly adhering to his three rules: not wearing stitched clothes, performing all pilgrimages bare footed, and always residing in outskirts of the village, used to cook by himself. He gave discourses on Bhagavatapurana at 84 places (Chaurasi Baithak) and stayed in Vraja for four months every year without fail. He combined the three aspects of Bhakti, Knowledge, and Karma, which was a new dimension toward devotion.
The Meaning of Pushti Marga :
Vallabha recommended Pushti Bhakti as the easiest means of reaching God. Pushti means the Grace of God. The Bhagavata remarks “Poshanam tadanugrahah” (We live by God’s Grace). Pushti is the means to the well-being of the soul. The chief feature of Pushti Marga Bhakti is God’s Grace named Pushti.
Distinction of Pushti Jivas :
Souls (Jivas) are of three kinds in this world, namely-Maryada Jivas, Pravaha Jivas, and Pushti Jivas. Maryada Jivas are those who follow the prescribed rules of the Vedas and Sastras. Pravaha Jivas are those who are not bound by any rules or regulations. Pushti Jivas are those who deserve God’s Grace and live by devotion to Sri Krishna. The Pushti Jivas are the best of the lot. God’s Grace is obtained by initiation into Astakshara mantra, chanting of Lord’s name, and receiving initiation into Brahma-mantra. Service to God through Self-surrender, love and affection enables one to receive God’s Grace
Works of Mahaprabhu ji and shreeji’s three orders
Vallabhacharya composed many philosophical and devotional books during his lifetime. He authored many texts including the Anubhashya (a commentary on Brahm Sutra). There are 16 independent granthas known as Shodash Granth or sixteen “stotras” and several commentaries on the Bhagavata Purana- Shri subhodini.
This work called subhodini ji was a huge work he had undertaken. In the meantime he had received calls from Shrinathji that Shri Vallabh’s mission was completed and as such he should return to His Nijdham. In all Shri Vallabhacharya received three calls. The first time it happened when he was at Ganga Sagar. But he had to accomplish a lot, he kindly did not obey the first call. The second time he was at Madhuvan when he was once again asked to return back. Then also he could not oblige. But when he received the command for the third time he decided to obey it. So he had given up writing the commentaries on 5th to 9th skanda and straight away undertaken to write the first and the second part of the Dashama skanda ( 10th skanda) of shrimad Bhagvatji which described Leela’s of Shri Krishna.
Some of important works of Vallabha are:
1. The Yamunashataka2. Balabodha 3. The Sidhanta-Muktavali (A Necklace , of Pearls of Principles)4. Pushti-Parvaha-Maryada5. Sidhant-Rahasya6. Navaratna (Nine Gems) 7. Antah-Karana-Parbodha 8. Vivek-dhairyashreyanirupan 9. Krishn-Ashreya 10. Chatuh-Saloki
Sanyasa and Asura Vymohaleela
At the age of 52, Shri Vallabh, upon Shrinathji’s 3 orders to return to Nijdham, decided to discard his mortal guise and became one with the supreme Lord. At 52, Vallabha felt that he accomplished his task and took to renunciation under the name, Purnananda. He took samadhi in the Ganga river at Hanuman ghat, Kashi. He spent his last days detached from the world, meditating and singing the songs in praise of Lord Krishna. A week prior to his death, he took a vow of silence. His sons requested him to guide them and give them a last message, so he wrote a few words on sand. Vallabhacharya scribbled three and a half Sanskrit verses in the sand and its said that to complete this message Krishna manifested visually on the spot and wrote in the form of a verse and a half. This collection of verses is known as “ShikshaSloki” in Pushti-Marga literature.
Yada Bahirmukha yuyam bhavishyatha kathanchana!
Tada kalapravahasthaa deha chittadayopyuta!! 1
Sarvadha Bhakshayishyanti yushmaniti matirmama Na laukikaha prabhuh Krishno manute naiva
laukikam!! 2
Bhavastatrapyasmadeeyaha sarvasvam chaihikashcha sah!
Paralokashcha tenayam sarvabhavena sarvatha!! 3 Sevyaha sa eva Gopeesho vidhasyatyakhilam hi nah!
Mayi chedasthi viswasah Sri Gopeejana vallabhe!! 4
Tada kritartha yuyam hi shochaneeyam na karhichit! Muktirhitvanyatha roopam svaroopena vyavasthitih!
If you are engrossed in the day-to-day affairs of the world as extroverts and lost in the stream of life, you are engulfed by the body and mind (deha and chitta) totally. That means, you surrender to the body and mind and become a servant to the senses. Lord Sri Krishna is not of this world; nor is the mind. With universal outlook, you should regard everything, this world and the other world, as Sri Krishna. I think and believe that Sri Krishna, the beloved of Gopikas, is the only refuge for us. No regrets if you serve Him. Liberation means abdication of all forms and courting your own.
He took the vow of renunciation with Tridanda (a bundle of three sticks), and the vow of silence (mouna vrata). He went on foot for 18 days to Hanuman Ghat in Kasi from Prayaga. He stayed there for seven days wearing just a loin cloth.On Ashada Shukla Dwithiya (2), V.S. 1587 (1530 AD). He entered the Ganga river at Hanumaan Ghat in Kashi at noon and stood with water upon his waist, eyes closed and his lips uttering the name of the Lord, his entire being concentrated on the Lord and in the presence of this family members and all the onlookers a great ball of Fire arose within Vallabh and encompassing Shri Vallabh and burst forth towards the sun and merged with it.This is called “Aasura Vyamoham” in the Pushti Marga tradition. A foreigner by name Wilson was also a witness to this wonderful event. He wrote thus in his diary: “Hindu Saint Sri Vallabha with his aura of splendour stood in the waters of the Ganges in Benares, the great pilgim centre of the Hindus. There descended a great light from the sky, and the saint merged into the light. There appeared a pillar of light from the sky to the earth. People there were overawed by this strange and wonderful phenomenon.” This was published in an
English booklet in England.
Egoism and self-love are the basis of all grief :
Yaddainyam tvatkrupaheturnatadasti mamaanvapi!
Tam Krupam kuru Radhesha! Yaya te dainyamapnuyam!!
According to Vallabha, Sri Krishna is the ultimate God and Omnipotent. The weal of the Jivas lies in serving Him without any distraction. As per his doctrine of Suddha Advaita (Pure Monism) and Pushti Marga Bhakti, a devotee’s aim is to seek refuge in Sri Krishna and serve Him with absolute self-surrender. Jiva is an aspect of God. He is subject to untold suffering due to his separation from Him. The only means of redemption from all kinds of grief is complete surrender to Sri Krishna. Egoism and self-respect are the root- cause of all sins. There will be no room for them if you feel with all abjectness and humility that Sri Krishna is the refuge, destiny and protector. That is why Vallabha pronounced:
(Hey Radhesa! My abjectness is the cause of Thy
Grace. I don’t have it the least. Please, make me helpless and abject)
A New Definition :
Vallabhacharya gave a new definition to the four Purusharthas of dharma, artha, kama and moksha thus: “Service to Sri Krishna is dharma; experience of the miracles of Sri Hari is artha; Vision and Company of God is kama; Union with God ( Sayujyam) is moksha.”
Vallabhacharya’s life is, thus, exemplary and
worthy of emulation for all as he dedicated himself to the service of God and preached and practiced the precept that service to mankind and the entire world is service to God.
Aagnya of Shri Vallabh
> A Vaishnav should wear Tulsi mala on his neck daily.
> He should always put Tilak on his forehead
> He should observe fasting on all Jayanthis and 24 Ekadashis
>He should always go to such places where Shri Thakurji’s Katha is told.
> He should not eat such food which has not been partaken by Shreeji
>Always stay in the presence of Shreeji and do his seva.
>Avoid bad company and be in the company of those who do the seva of Shri Krishna.
Source: Vipasana.vidhushika.blockspot.com
TTD publication on life of Vallabhacharya
Jai Srikrishna 🙏
Mahaprasada 